Transfer Time

Another week here in Omsk is down, and I've got some news yesterday morning while Elder Espinoza and I were getting some lunch ready before we took off for the day, we got a phone call from President Trejo, it was very unexpected due to the fact that zone conference is on Friday and also because we would normally get our transfer calls at the end of the transfer which is also Friday. He called us and he let us know that I would be getting a new companion next week sometime and that Elder Espinoza would be leaving tommorrow, which is now today for Novosibirsk where he will be serving as an office Elder. It's super weird so I'm going to be companionless for a week. There is a recent convert here in our branch that is super pumped for a mission and is going to go on a mini mission next transfer that will be with me until next week.

So it will be me with an 17 year old Russian kid during the day for the next week. But you know me! Always up for an adventure :). I remember when I had Sergey from Tomsk with me for a couple days while Hansen was in Finland and how interesting that was lol. We'll see what happens. Maybe I can help him get a little bit more excited and help him understand what missionary work is about. I've only been a missionary about 8 months, my Russian's not perfect, and I'm still trying to figure out what and how to do this work. I will keep at it and by golly I am going to have some fun doing it!

Any way... Things are good here, we're working hard trying to help people here. We actually had a Stake Patriarch from Provo, who is a Russian literature professor at BYU, come to Omck and give them their Patriachal Blessings. It was way cool to be able to help some of the member's who were wanting to recieve them, prepare and hear some of their experiences. I remember a couple months ago when we found out he was coming we started trying to get people pumped about recieving it. The story of Lehi finding the liahona stood out in my mind."It was a ball of curious work"... and it helped guide them through the wilderness working by their faith. And that is exactly what a patriachal blessing is.... like President Monson said in the Liahona, They are our "personal Liahonas". I remember when I got mine and I started thinking about chocolate cake and then Brother Bankhead says, " and God know's the very thoughts in your mind..." I am so glad our Heavenly Father has a sense of humor :). The members here were so excited when Patriarch Browning was in our branch meeting sunday. They had us all line up in the back of the chapel and take a picture with him lol

I don't think I've told you yet, but Omck is what is called the cosmos of the mission due to the fact that everything that can happen, will happen ha..... it's the place in the mission where the strangest things happen an I can attest to that! But I love it  Elder Espinoza bought a new jacket the other week, and he asked the man what kind of leather it was, the man smiled and said the fur is 100 % wolf, but the leather is from dogs. ha man you have no idea how hard I laughed! We're still trying to find new people to meet with, our one investigator is the only one we've got and he has been investigating the church for nearly 8 years. So we'll keep looking!

I met an in active family yesterday who has a 19 year old son named Sasha, he's huge, like just completely ripped, when I asked him what he liked to do he said, "I wrestle" ha I was like dude!!!'. We hit it off and had a cool conversation.

Well, thats all I have got this week. I am not dead yet!
I love you all.
Thank's for your support, and keep me in you're prayers.



liveSTRONG,

Elder Eborn


Mom - Hey momma :) Thanks for the pictures and the update about Am. Sounds like you had a fun time in Vegas even if Megan was a little disgusted for the lack of self respect people had for themselves.  We'll just keep her out of Russia (just kidding) I  haven't got you're package yet but then again it's been 6 weeks since any one came from Novo so we'll see what President brings with him tomorrow. Well mommy I love you, thanks for everything. Send my love to the kids and to everyone! Man I miss my puppy.

Badger - Hey Pops, Just wanted to wish you luck on the race this weekend.  I miss running with ya dad. have fun and run hard.

Tanner -Dude, Um I'm expecting letter regarding your latest doings.... I miss ya bro!! How's life as the big man on campus?

How Great Will Be Your Joy

SHALOM!
So I am kind of like in awe that you guy's all start school next week! It seems like yesterday I got an email saying the summer was getting into full swing! Man if time starts going any faster I'll be home before I know it!

First of all I got an email today from Tomsk letting me know that the individual who Elder Hansen and I had been teaching is now a baptized and confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-Day Saints! I am so excited to hear that! Man you've got no idea. I was not able to see him get baptized. However, knowing that I was able to help some one come a little closer to Christ makes it all worth it :)  It says in D&C "How great will be your joy if you brought but one soul unto Christ. I don't know how to explain how I feel, but it's amazing. I'll see if they can send some pictures of the baptism for next week.

Second thing, I am pretty much set for winter! Last week after I got finished talking to you all, I went to what is called the REENOK it's basically a giant swap meet type thing but it's where you buy stuff, like there are food reenok's and all sorts of them around. but any way, I went and was looking at Shapki, (Russian furry hats) and I found one I really liked, I think it's mink fur---oigh...Elder Espinoza and I purchased one and it's sick!  HA! Every night I've put it on and walked around the house in it with my earflaps down, and my sick new winter coat! Tree huggers would probably shoot me! In Siberia you really don't have a choice, everything has animal fur on it.  We went to the Savage Store and got my jacket on sale for like 50% off. It's super legit :) I've still got some stuff to pick up but I will do it later in the season. (I will be warm mom ;))

So this week we've been working hard and trying to meet up with some people and trying to find new investigators, it's been great being back with my companion, in my area. I am ready to get the left bank of Omsk on fire again!

I don't know what my deal is.... but, when I find my self working against hard stuff it makes me all the more excited! We've been working with some of the local Church leadership in order to achieve our goal which is 17+ quality baptisms by the end of the year for the city of Omsk, it's going to be way tough, but I'm up for it. We've got to work hard to get this and it's going to start with finding new people to teach. We all came to the conclusion though that we all need to be more loving, including the member's of the branches here,
The Lord isn't going to help us find the elect people if we are not ready to recieve them. So we're going to work with the member's and be prepared...man I love missionary work!  Russian is coming, I'm still not 100% but, I can tell you, that I can now hold my own in meetings, as well as just talking on the street lol. I am going for gold, satisfactory is never enough, I can do better and I know it. I've just got to work hard.

WELL... I dont know what else to tell ya, I'm doing good, the weather is getting colder, the day's are getting shorter, I am not dead, (yet ) AND I love you all!
Thank you for your support and all you do to help me!
I could not do this with out you!

liveSTRONG!
Elder Eborn!!

Gramm - Happy Birthday!! I love ya Gramm :)

Tanner - Ha Big man on campus huh? Dude! I can't believe you're a Senior! You're going to have a blast, Ha mom told me about your little deal with the schedule thing and how Andersen came and took care of ya. Tell her and everyone hi from me! Work hard, and play even harder! Love ya bud. see ya in a few months lol.

Megan - No way You are on the Jr. High Volleyball team!! Man you rock hardcore, I always knew my sisters were rock stars! Play hard and have fun :)

Mom & Dad - hey :) I love you guys and just wanted to tell you thank you foreverything, I've really noticed how much I've learned from you both being out here. Just this week I made Elder Espinoza and I  Do a "Rene Clean "on our apartment lol. Any ways I love you :) Thanks for everthing :)

Do a Good Turn Daily

Hello there family! :
How are things going at home? I hope all is well. It sounds like you're all having fun and enjoying the summer. I don't know how much longer it will be warm here, it seems like over night it has become fall and apparently fall does not last very long in Siberia. The temperature has dropped and we've had clouds and rain most days since last week. I am very excited to see what a REAL winter looks like. I am going to buy my winter coat today because all the stores are having sales trying to get rid of all their last year stuff before winter. I was actually walking to the net cafe this morning and I saw a Columbia Store that had all this stuff for like 75% off. I am probably going check that out but, no worries (dad), I am not going to blow a bunch of money I know we don't have.  I just don't want to come home a JT popcycle :).   I will be smart.

So this week about half of the mission got sent to Finland to get their new visas. Among those that went were nearly half the Elder's here in Omsk.  One from every companionship left, so I was with Elder Mayorov all week, He's very cool. He's from St. Petersberg and speaks perfect English however, we spoke in Russian almost the entire time! (Talk about score for me!) after the last four days with him I feel like the last 7.5 months have not been a complete waste! I still have along way to go from where I want to be, but I can speak correctly and I understand most of what's going on :). (Now watch--- because I said that, now the Lord will feel the need to humble me.) .

Anyway, one thing that I've found here are the various types of missionaries, and how they like to work, what helps them be effective, and how they feel successful.

Some missionaries are so focused on teaching lesson's that they forget about the people. They are here to teach a lesson and that's it. When the lesson's over they say "Amen" and are ready to go to their next meeting. Robot missionaries. I've been realizing more and more that the real way to help people come unto Christ and to help them feel of the love that the Savior has for them is by loving them. I personally think letting them know that you care. People here have their very own problems, and their own lives. They aren't just something you want to "get baptized and thats the end". I've kind of adapted one my the slogan's that has been in my life since as long as I can remember and applying it here in the mission field.  "Do a Good Turn Daily". I have found that I feel most successful and like I've done what I've been sent here to do when I help someone else feel a little better. I don't know why exactly, it's just how it is. It says in Mosiah 2:17 When you are in the service of your fellow men you are only the Service of your God.
Plus, when you're friends and love the people around you get to make some way funny friends! Like the otherday for instance, I got to go and meet a man whose name translates as "Lion Son of Boris" (even his name is great) but, he opens the door and he is this huge guy and he is super enthusastic about everything. We asked him to say the opening pray for our meeting and he prayed as if he was in an opera! " OH GOD OUR ETERTAL FATHER... " he started out lol and he basically sang the entire prayer, I personally LOVED it. There are just some way funny, diverse, people, and things that happen here in Russia I've decided are great. They have what are called Dacha's---they are these little cottages outside the cities that people go to on weekends in the summer and grow little gardens. (But they are the tool of the devil. because they are the reason sacrament meeting attendence dives in the summers :).

Anyway,  all is good here, I am working hard trying to get my area where it needs to be we have a grand total of one investigator.  So we are looking for people to teach. My area is a challenge, we have more inactive members in our area than the other two branches (combined).  Oh well, though it just means I've got to get to work!

Well family, I love ya. I hope all is well and that you're all doing good. I miss you all like crazy. Hug the brown one for me :) goodness I miss my puppy.

liveSTRONG
Elder Eborn

Mom - I am so happy for Josh and Jenny! They are doing what is right and the Lord will bless them for it. We're all not perfect, and it's important to remember that no matter what, the arm's of our Savior are always open to us, and we can always return to his care. Mom, you've been an example to me all my life. Your experiences and unconditional love really have made a difference for me--- even here.
I love you mommy thanks for everything.

Tell Josh and Jenny Family ... Hello for me and that I love them.

Dad- Hey Pops--no worries, I wiill be smart about how I do things. Sounds like you're kicking butt on the running and stuff.  I am super jealous. I am stoked that I'll be able to come home and have to try and keep up with you for a change ;) just kidding I love you Dad, be excellent and party on!

Wrestling Before the Lord | Setting Goals

Dear Fam!
How are things going at home?

I hope all is well. The picture of Tanner coming out of the water was way sick! Man I want go swimming way bad. We have a big river that divides the city in half and we have to cross over this big bridge a couple times a week to get to the branch, they always have boats out on the river, and one day there was a ski boat pulling a water weinie! Man and in close to 90 odd degrees outside makes me want to go play in the water! But can't.  Also, this morning we went to get our weekly groceries and I asked where the cheese was located and they lady asked me if I was here to run in the marathon that is on Saturday... man winter had better come quick so I can get those thoughts out of my head!

Last week-- was... well it was a rough week for us, we didn't get a lot of people to meet with. I hit an all time low number of meetings last week with only four. They were all with active members of the church... I felt bad.. Friday though the ZL's got back from Novo and had some news for us! Missionary work will be recieving a revolution!

Next month the First Presidency and Missionary department are coming out with a new set of things to help us improve our missionary work, and I'm stoked about it! Also, we got a message from President Trejo. It was interesting because I had actually been thinking a lot about it before President told us this. It was about goals. I don't know if I told you all, but on the Train to Omsk I'd been thinking a lot about what I wanted to accomplish here this transfer and what I wanted to do. I had a lot of ideas but nothing really stood out to me.

Then we recieved this message from President Trejo, he told us that we should have all sorts of Goals. including Goals for what we want in life. Alot, of what were doing right now will carry on with us the rest of our lives and we need to figure out what we need to do in order to achieve these goals. I was thinking about what I wanted for my new area, what I want to accomplish in these next 16 months, and what I want in my life.

The main point that President said though, was that no matter our goals, we need to involve the Lord in them, and then depending on how hard we work at it we will achieve anything we want. It caused me to reflect a lot on what my goals are. I did, as it talks about in the scriptures, some ,"wrestling before the Lord" and I think I've got some ideas of what I want to do with my area to get it where I would like it  to be. My area is kind of dead, but I think I am here for a reason and I've got some work.

I love you all!

Sorry this week is kind of short, I will to include some funnier stories next time ;) Man Russia makes me laugh and smile.   I love these people to death.


liveSTRONG
Elder Eborn



Mom - Hey momma :) All's good here I will answer your questions.

• Elder Espinoza is a great guy, he's in the Army Reserves and is from Logan, Utah.  Originally he lived just down the hill from the Temple most his life but now his family lives in Cedar City. He'll get up and work out with me and even run's every other day with me. So yeah, he's a good guy. Great with the language. 
• The apartment's fine, um there's a bed and a shower I've lived in worse so no worries.
• Christmas Ideas?.... Well I wouldn't mind a new watch my dive watch broke (wrestling) (i won) (maybe a cool Sunto watch ;) and some new socks. Russian washing machines are like death to clothes!

I love you mommy :)



Danny - Elder Mueller! Hey big guy, just wanted to say "Shalom!" Love ya big guy.